During the dispute, Ang slapped Ms Lu across her left cheek and pushed her to the ground.

A medical report found that Ms Lu suffered abrasions to her hands and right knee and swelling to her buttocks. She was also given two days medical leave.

Last December, police officers found second-hand mobile phones being bought and sold without a valid licence at Ang's Commonwealth Drive shop. Ang told the authorities that he did not monitor how the shop was run and left it to his employees.

Last month, Ang, who was unrepresented, said in mitigation that Ms Lu had requested $8,000 compensation, but he did not have that much money to pay her.

He added that he was remorseful and asked the court for a lenient sentence as he has five children to feed.

For voluntarily causing hurt, he could have been jailed up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.

For dealing with second-hand goods without a valid licence, he could have been jailed up to a year and/or fined up to $10,000.